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MHIS2011 – Making War Modern: From Revolutionary Soldier to Peacekeeper

2023 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Morwenna MacGillivray
morwenna.macgillivray@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or MHIX units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is an intellectual and cultural history of modern war and peace making. It explores the historical emergence of the categories and practices through which modern wars have been waged and peace has been forged, in particular, we examine how ideas about race, gender and nation have underpinned modern war-making and been challenged by them. The unit examines a major conflict each week, and then explores how peace has been differently made in its wake. We begin with the French Revolutionary Wars and move through the 19th and 20th centuries, including the World Wars, the Cold War, and wars of decolonization. This will reveal when many of the ideas and practices that seem like common sense to our eyes took historical shape – such as the protection of civilians, real-time war reporting, the use of mass conscription, the widespread memorialisation of war-time loss as a nation-making project, and the use of propaganda. The story of modern war-making is often told through a focus on European nations and their conflicts with each other. However, this unit has a particular focus on how Europeans began to employ to a different set of rules and norms when waging wars with non-European peoples. The unit asks whether conventional stories about modern military strategy, practices and restraints are challenged when we put the experiences of non-Europeans in the frame?

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Demonstrate schematic knowledge of major conflicts and efforts to make peace in modern history.
  • ULO2: Analyse how empirical research and methodological debate has expanded and challenged existing historiography.
  • ULO3: Critically appraise the arguments of other historians (both theoretically and empirically).
  • ULO4: Locate, identify, read and analyse existing historical research with some guidance.
  • ULO5: Clearly communicate a point of view about the past using the terminology and techniques accepted in the historical profession in written form.
  • ULO6: Consider how war and peace are experienced differently (according to gender, race, class, sexuality and historical location).
  • ULO7: Examine and critically appraise popular histories and narratives of war and peace.

General Assessment Information

Full descriptions and instructions for each task can be found on ilearn.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Weekly Quiz 30% No Weeks 4, 8 and 12 (in batches)
Essay progress report 25% No Week 8, Monday, 11.55pm
Research Essay 45% No Week 13, Friday, 11.55pm

Weekly Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Weeks 4, 8 and 12 (in batches)
Weighting: 30%

 

A quiz about the weekly readings and course content, multiple choice and short answer.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate schematic knowledge of major conflicts and efforts to make peace in modern history.
  • Critically appraise the arguments of other historians (both theoretically and empirically).
  • Clearly communicate a point of view about the past using the terminology and techniques accepted in the historical profession in written form.
  • Consider how war and peace are experienced differently (according to gender, race, class, sexuality and historical location).
  • Examine and critically appraise popular histories and narratives of war and peace.

Essay progress report

Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8, Monday, 11.55pm
Weighting: 25%

 

A short report on progress towards the completion of the research essay.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse how empirical research and methodological debate has expanded and challenged existing historiography.
  • Critically appraise the arguments of other historians (both theoretically and empirically).
  • Locate, identify, read and analyse existing historical research with some guidance.

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Week 13, Friday, 11.55pm
Weighting: 45%

 

Research essay topics will be made available on ilearn by week 3 and will relate to the weekly topics covered in the unit. Students will conduct independent research to develop an historical interpretation and place this in an historiographic field. Workshops will be held in seminars to guide students through this major task. This assessment focuses on a deep knowledge of one topic covered in the unit.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate schematic knowledge of major conflicts and efforts to make peace in modern history.
  • Analyse how empirical research and methodological debate has expanded and challenged existing historiography.
  • Critically appraise the arguments of other historians (both theoretically and empirically).
  • Locate, identify, read and analyse existing historical research with some guidance.
  • Clearly communicate a point of view about the past using the terminology and techniques accepted in the historical profession in written form.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Recorded lectures available via echo, readings via leganto and all unit materials on ilearn.  In person tutorials will take place for on campus students and discussion fora will be offered for online students.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook